Blow for Derry as Kielt and McGoldrick call time

Derry duo James Kielt and Sean Leo McGoldrick have both announced their retirements from inter-county football.

The Irish News reports that both men have hung up their boots with “speculation growing” that veteran attacker Mark Lynch is set to follow suit.

Kielt made his championship debut for the Oak Leafers in 2009, having been a star on the minor side which reached the All-Ireland final two years previous.

McGoldrick, who initially announced his retirement two years ago, was swayed back by manager Damian McErlain and linked up with the squad again in the build-up to this summer’s Ulster championship clash with Donegal. He’s presently preparing for his third county SFC final with Eoghan Rua this weekend as they get set to take on Lavey.

As for Lynch, the Banagher clubman has yet to officially confirm whether or not he’ll return for a 16th season but one man who won’t be available to McErlain in 2019 is Kevin Johnston as he is set to spend the year travelling in Australia.